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LABOUR FORCE STATUS AT JUNE 2002

The labour force is the total number of all civilian males and females aged 15 years or over who either actively participate in paid economic activity (employed) or actively seek to participate (unemployed).

In June 2002, there were an estimated 1,053,700 men and 842,500 women in the Queensland labour force, a participation rate of 73.3% and 57.2% respectively.

The number of employed persons in Queensland in June 2002, was 1,756,900, an increase of 32.2% on the figure ten years previously. Of the 982,800 males employed inJune 2002, 84.2% were employed full-time; only 53.7% of the 774,100 females were employed full-time.

LABOUR FORCE STATUS, Original Series, Annual Average(a)

1991-1992

2001-2002

Males

Females

Persons

Males

Females

Persons

Employed

- Employed full-time

689,600

315,900

1,005,500

818,200

416,600

1,234,800

- Employed part-time

78,500

235,800

314,300

142,600

349,800

492,500

- Total employed

768,100

551,700

1,319,800

960,800

766,400

1,727,200

Unemployed

- Looking for full-time work

79,600

42,200

121,900

70,300

43,600

113,900

- Looking for part-time work

7,200

14,300

21,400

13,500

20,800

34,300

- Total unemployed

86,800

56,500

143,300

83,800

64,300

148,200

Labour force

854,900

608,200

1,463,100

1,044,700

830,700

1,875,400

Not in the labour force

286,300

558,500

844,800

381,400

627,100

1,008,400

Civilian population aged 15 and over

1,141,200

1,166,700

2,307,900

1,426,000

1,457,800

2,883,800

Unemployment rate (%)

10.2

9.3

9.8

8.0

7.7

7.9

Participation rate (%)

74.9

52.1

63.4

73.3

57.0

65.0

(a) Average of 12 monthly surveysJuly 1991 to June 1992 and average of 12 monthly surveys July 2001 to June 2002

Source: Labour Force, Australia, (cat. no. 6203.0).

From 1991-92 to 2001-02, the available labour force in Queensland increased by 28.0%, whereas the civilian population aged 15 and over rose only 25.0%. This was due to an increasing rate of participation by the population in the labour force. There was also a significant shift in the composition of the work-force: while the number of full-time workers rose 22.8%, there was a 56.7% increase in those working part-time.

The number of unemployed men fell from 86,800 to 83,900 from 1991-92 to 2000-01. Although there were increasing numbers of men looking for part-time work (7,200 to 13,500), the number looking for full-time work decreased from 79,600 to 70,300. The percentage of men participating in the labour force fell from 74.9% to 73.3% and their unemployment rate fell from 10.2% to 8.0%.

In contrast, over the same period the number of women unemployed rose from 56,500 to 64,300, despite a decrease in the female unemployment rate. This was due to increased numbers of women participating in the labour force, shown by the participation rate rising from 52.1% to 57.0%. There was an increase in the number of women looking for both full-time and part-time work.

Survey data inevitably displays some random variation. Because the labour force survey has been conducted regularly for many years, the raw data can be adjusted for seasonal variation and then smoothed to better display trends. The resulting trend estimates more accurately reflect changes in labour market conditions.

EMPLOYED PERSONS, Queensland

Source: Labour Force, Australia, (cat. no. 6203.0)

INDUSTRY OF EMPLOYMENT

Four times each year the Labour Force Survey includes questions regarding the industry within which people work.

The Retail trade industry division provided the highest number of jobs in 2001-02, in both Queensland and nationally. This industry division was the largest employer of females in Queensland with 140,725 or 18.4% and the second largest employer of males with 135,775 or 14.2%. The ratio of male to female employment was highest in the Mining industry, and smallest in the Health and community services division.

Of all industry divisions, the largest employer of males was the Manufacturing division, accounting for 14.2% of employed men (136,200), slightly more than the 135,775 men employed in the Retail trade industry. These two industries together provided 28.4% of jobs for Queensland men. The same industry divisions were also the highest employers of males nationally. The Electricity, gas and water division employed the smallest number of men.

The Health and community services division was the second highest employer of females with 128,250 or 16.7%. Together with Retail trade, 35.1% of female employment was concentrated in these two industry divisions. Mining employed the smallest number of women.

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY, Annual Average, 2001-2002(a)

Queensland

Australia

Males

Females

Males

Females

Number

%

Number

%

%

%

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

72,850

7.6

32,125

4.2

5.9

3.4

Mining

18,025

1.9

1,550

0.2

1.4

0.2

Manufacturing

136,200

14.2

45,975

6.0

15.8

7.0

Electricity, gas and water

10,850

1.1

2,925

0.4

1.0

0.4

Construction

119,600

12.5

19,625

2.6

12.0

2.2

Wholesale trade

59,800

6.2

23,275

3.0

5.9

3.3

Retail trade

135,775

14.2

140,725

18.4

13.3

17.5

Accommodation, cafes and restaurants

44,550

4.7

59,875

7.8

3.9

6.5

Transport and storage

62,400

6.5

19,600

2.6

6.2

2.4

Communication services

16,800

1.8

7,900

1.0

2.3

1.2

Finance and insurance

18,700

2.0

26,575

3.5

3.0

4.8

Property and business services

93,775

9.8

79,750

10.4

11.2

11.5

Government administration and defence

40,125

4.2

34,925

4.6

4.2

4.4

Education

36,000

3.8

86,100

11.2

4.0

10.8

Health and community services

34,950

3.6

128,250

16.7

3.9

17.4

Cultural and recreational services

18,675

1.9

21,875

2.9

2.4

2.8

Personal and other services

38,675

4.0

34,675

4.5

3.7

4.3

Total

957,750

100.0

765,725

100.0

100.0

100.0

(a) Average of surveys conducted in August 2001, November 2001, February 2002 and May 2002

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